Azhar slams Kambli over 1996 World Cup claims

Mohammed Azharuddin says Vinod Kambli has betrayed his 1996 World Cup team by suggesting the semi-final against Sri Lanka in Kolkata was fixed

Former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin rubbished his ex-team mate Vinod Kambli's allegations that the 1996 World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata was fixed. Azharuddin, now a Congress MP from Moradabad, said the decision to chase was a collective decision and the team took the blame for the loss against eventual champions Sri Lanka. "In the team meeting it was decided that we would bowl if we win the toss. In the last match (group stage) against Sri Lanka we lost despite scoring 271 at the Ferozeshah Kotla.

India skipper Mohammed Azharuddin with Vinod Kambli during the one-day series against the touring New Zealand team in 1995-95.Pic/MiD DAY Archives

"So we decided to do something different at Eden Gardens and the decision was taken unanimously at the team meeting. I think Kambli is just talking rubbish and by making these statements, he has showed his class. He has betrayed the team," said Azharuddin, who was given a life-ban by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after being found involved in the 2000 match-fixing case.

Asked whether the semi-final match was discussed when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) interrogated him on the match-fixing case, Azharuddin said: "My case is still pending in the High Court and I don't wish to comment on the case. When my name is cleared everybody will come to know the truth... I am not affected by the allegations."

Azharuddin also said that he doesn't regret his decision to bowl first in the semi-final despite winning the toss. "I don't have any regrets and why should I? It was a collective responsibility and the team took the blame for the loss. It is a game of match, you win some you lose some," said Azharuddin. Azharuddin also said that Kambli was wrong to say that he was made a scapegoat after the match. "Kambli was never made a scapegoat. He was dropped from the team purely on the basis of his form. He was not disciplined and that spoiled him. In fact he should be thankful for the cricket that he has played. He has always maintained that I was the best captain he has played under and now his statement is very annoying," he said. "It would be unfair to say that Kambli never got his chance. He was included in the team in 1998 but injured his ankle that finished his career," said Azharuddin.

Kambli told a TV channel that he was stunned with India's decision to bowl first. Kambli was viewing his comments on former International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption unit chief Paul Condon's claim that many teams were monitored for fixing in the late 1990s.

"I was stunned by India's decision to field. I'll never forget the match because my career ended after it. I was stunned by the decision to field," Kambli said. "I was standing on one side and on the other end my fellow batsman was telling me that we would chase the target," the channel quoted the retired player as saying. However, soon after they quickly got out one by one. I don't know what transpired," Kambli had said.

Kambli also claimed that then team manager Ajit Wadekar, also a former India captain, was aware of everything. "Something was definitely amiss. However, I was not given a chance to speak and was dropped soon after. Our team manager at that time, Wadekar, was aware of everything," he said. Wadekar rubbished Kambli's claims and said the game was clean. "I did not even think there was anything suspicious in that loss. It was purely because we misread the wicket and were slightly overconfident after beating Pakistan in the quarter-final.

"Why did he wake up suddenly after 15 years? During my four-and-half year stint (with the national team), I used to frequently have dinner with Vinod. Had he told me about his suspicions then, I would have requested the board to probe the matter," he said. �